Coin mechanism for vending machines



Oct. 23, 1951 E. H. THOMPSON COINMECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1946 DzzeaZ/[JZoHW A I M J Oct. 23, 1951 E. H'. THOMPSON com MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 9 Q r I I 2 4 02 i I e .32 a l l l fizz/a2 0/ 51265217 JZOM/DSOIZ,

Oct. 23, 1951 E. H. THOMPSON COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 6 Sheeis-Sheec 5 Filed April 8, 1946 E. H. THOMPSON COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES e Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1946 Ill Oct. 23, 1951 4 THOMPSON 2,572,539

COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 23, 1951 Filed April 8, 1946 E. H. THOMPSON com MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 6 SheeiZs-Sheet 6 Patented Oct. 23, 1951 COIN MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Ernest H. Thompson, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to Automatic Canteen Company of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1946, Serial No. 660,455

2 Claims.

This invention relates in general to coin mechanisms and more particularly to an improved mechanism adapted for use in a coin controlled vending machine, especially of the electrically operated type, wherein a coin is detained on its Way to the coin box, and from the detained position may be either returned or passed on to the coin box.

In all electrically operated vending machines an electric circuit is closed and the machine cycles. That is, it carries out its function of delivering merchandise. The cycle begins when the circuit through the cycling mechanism is closed and ends when the circuit is opened. In a non-selective machine it is customary to have the circuit through the cycling mechanism close upon depositing an acceptable coin, but in a selec tive machine this circuit should remain open after the coin is deposited until a selector button is pressed. In such case the action of the coin may be said to merely close the circuit on one side of the cycling mechanism, or impress a voltage acros it, after which, operation of the selecting means will close the circuit.

Obviously, cycling mechanisms differ, depending upon the type of merchandise the machine is adapted to dispense. For the purpose of my invention the type of such mechanism is of no importance, since it is adapted for use with all types, such, for example, as shown in Thompson et a1. U. S. Patent Nos. 2,392,511 or 2,376,403.

While the mechanism as shown and described herein together with the electric circuit therefor is particularly suitable for a selective vending ma' chine, it may also be used in a non-selective machine with minor modifications which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Certain problems are present especially in selective vending machines whether the machine is adapted to dispense beverages, candy, or other items such as sandwiches. For example, if a customer deposits an acceptable coin and then discovers that the machine is out of the particular type of item which he desires, it is necessary to provide some means by which the coin can be returned to the customer before any selection is made. The same problem may arise even in a non-selective machine if the customer changes his mind before the machine functions.

Another difficulty which must be overcome is that of depositing more than one coin before the machine finishes its cycle. If the customer deposits another coin after the machine begins to function it is necessary to provide some means for the scavenging of the second coin and return it to the customer.

In a selective machine it is necessary that the machine not begin its cycle until the selection is made. This necessitates retaining the coin in an intermediate position between the point of deposit and the coin box until the selection is made, after which time a mechanism can be operated to deposit the coin in the coin box.

It is also desirable in machines of this character, whether they be selective or non-selective, to register the number of acceptable coins deposited thus simplifying the process of determining the number of items which the machine has dispensed.

In view of the foregoing it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved coin mechanism for use in electrically operated coin controlled vending machines.

Another object of the invention i to provide scavenging means to return a subsequently deposited coin to the customer during cycling of the machine.

Another object is to provide a coin mechanism with novel means to retain the coin in an intermediate position within the coin chute until it is either returned to the customer or deposited in the coin box.

Another object is to provide a coin mechanism having electrically operated means to return an acceptable coin to the customer after depositing but before the machine has begun its cycle of operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident on a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the coin mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking toward the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the coin return switch;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation with one side or cover plate removed;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through the device;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the plane of line L-l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation looking toward the right of Fig. l with the left-hand plate removed showing the coin accept arm in actuated position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation looking toward the right in Fig. 1 showing the coin return element in an ejecting position;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the registering mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical section of the registering mechanism taken just to the right of gear 82 as viewed in Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of the electric circuits.

The coin mechanism of my invention is adapted to be used in conjunction with any well known commercial coin device useful for the detection of spurious coins. The details of construction of the commercial devices are well known to those skilled in the art and need. not be described here. In Figs. 1, 3 and 8 of the drawings this part of the coin mechanism is indicated at A, and may comprise the usual mamiets, weighing arms and bouncing blocks for scavenging all but acceptable coins. The device has the usual coin accept chute and coin reject chute adapted to be placed in alignment with similar chutes in the coin mechanism embodying my invention indi cated generally at B. When a spurious coin is detected it will be returned through the coin return chute in the usual manner, but an acceptable coin will be delivered to the coin accept chute, and, in accordance with my invention, will actuate a coin trip switch which will actuate a holding relay and either cycle immediately a nonselective machine or will impress a voltage across the cycling mechanism in a selective machine and await the operation of a selective device to cycle the machine.

After actuating the coin trip switch in a selective machine the coin is retained within the coin accept chute from which position it can be returned to the customer or deposited in the coin box. Mechanism is also provided to register the coin as it passes to the coin box.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and especially to Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6 it will be seen that the mechanism embodying my invention is generally indicated by the letter B and is made up of two sides 2 and 4. One or both of these sides may be formed either of a cast or sheet material. If a cast material is used the coin accept chute 6 and the coin return chute 8 may be formed integrally with one of the sides. If sheet material is used additional inlay plates or shims may be secured to one of the sides thereof in order that these chutes may be formed by cooperation with the other side.

At one side of one of the cover plates I provide a bracket 10 secured to which is the coin trip switch I2 having an arm Hi operably connected therewith and one end of which extends into the coin accept chute B so that a deposited acceptable coin passing downwardly through the chute will actuate the arm M thus operating the switch and energizing a holding relay, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

It will be noted that in Figs. 5 and 6 the coin is indicated by the numeral l6 and is shown immediately after tripping the switch l2 in its retained position within the chute.

As previously explained it is necessary to provide some means which will permit the acceptable coin to pass through the coin accept chute to cycle the machine, but which may be actuated to return subsequently deposited coins to the return coin chute while the machine is cycling. Referring particularly now to Fig. 5, in order to accomplish this result I provide a bracket it which supports an electromagnet 2B. The support or bracket I8 is provided with a pair of depending ears 22 which support a pin 24. A scavenging arm 26 is pivotally mounted on the pin 24 and is provided at its free end with.

flange 28 adapted to be moved into and out of the coin accept chute 6 through an opening 30 therein.

The opposite end of the arm 26 is provided with an ear having an opening therein to receive one end of a spring 34. The other end of the spring may be secured to an ear 32 on a part of the bracket and will tend to move the arm 25 in the path of a falling coin. However, the electromagnet 20 is normally energized to hold the arm out of the path of a falling coin against the tension of spring 34. Immediately upon actuation of the coin trip switch [2 the electromagnet 20 will be tie-energized and the force of the spring 3% will then move the scavenging arm 26 and its flange 28 into the opening 3? so that a subsequently deposited coin will strike the flange 28 and be directed through the path 35 to the return coin chute 8.

At the lower end of the mechanism a support ing plate 38 extends outwardly from one of the cover plates at substantially right angles thereto and is held in place by means such as a bracket 40 having screws 42 and Q4 attached to one of the cover plates at one end and to the supporting plate 38 at the other end. At its forward and upper side the plate may be flanged as at 46 and then secured to the other cover plate by means of a bolt 48. Each side of the support 38 is provided with forwardly extending flanges or side members 55, which are adapted to support a small pin 52. Bearings 54 and 55 at each side thereof support the ends of the pin 52.

Rotatably supported adjacent one end of the pin is a hub 58 which has secured thereto the registering wheel 60. As will be seen later this wheel 60 will be rotated each time a coin is passed through to the coin box and, through a gear train, will cause the coin to be registered.

Another hub 52 is secured to and surrounds a sleeve extending from hub 53 and has mounted thereon a gear 66 which will rotate upon rotation of the wheel 50. A spacer sleeve E55 surrounds the remainder of the pin 52 and bears at one end against the bearing 56 and at its other end against the bearing 58.

Immediately below the gear 65. and in mesh therewith is another gear 53 mounted on a hub Ill and secured by the set screw E2 to a small shaft it which is supported within a housing 16. This housing is in turn secured by means of bolts 18 to the supporting plate 38.

Also mounted on the shaft M and at the other end thereof is a pinion 83 adapted to mesh with a gear 82 mounted on the shaft 84. Also on this latter shaft a plurality of wheels 38 hearing numbers is located and at least one of which will be rotated upon each rotation of gear 82. This comprises the registering mechanism and is operated in the usual and well known manner with the exception however that I prefer for purposes of convenience to have the wheels move in the reverse direction, that is, the numbers will decrease instead of increase each time a coin is registered. For example, where there are five such wheels, as shown, instead of the numbers registering from 1 to 10,000, they will register from 10,000 down to 1. This is primarily for convenience of service men to determine the number of coins passed to the coin box since the last reading because it will merely be necessary to subtract each subsequent reading from the one before. There is also a back stop pawl within the mechanism (not shown) of the usual con" struction to prevent the register from being turned back.

The registering wheel 60 is made up of a plurality of arcuate segments each one of which has an axial extension 88 on which a deposited acceptable coin I6 is adapted to rest,for example, in the positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring further to Figs. 5 and 6 I provide an arm 90 which is pivotally mounted ona stub shaft 92 extending outwardly from one side of the device and which has a coiled spring 94 thereon. The arm 90 has a suitable projection 96 integral therewith against which one end of the spring 84 may rest so that it will be normally urged against one of the extensions 88 of the wheel 60. One edge of the arm 90 is curved as shown at 88 and thereby will act as a camming surface so that when the wheel is rotated in a clockwise direction the arm will be rotated slightly in a counterclockwise direction. The wheel 60 moves in a step-by-step manner and at the completion of each step the arm 90 will return to its position shown and will bear against one of the extensions 88 to thereby prevent any movement of the wheel in the opposite direction.

From the position of the coin I6 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 where it rests on one of the extensions 88 it may either be transferred to the coin box or ejected and returned to the customer. The operation of both of these devices is carried out by means of solenoids which may be energized to operate the coin accept arm or the coin return disc. The coin accept solenoid is indicated by the numeral I in Fig. 3 and the coin return solenoid by the numeral I02. These are mounted in any suitable manner upon one of the face plates and, as shown, a supporting plate I04 extends at right angles to the face plate 4 and the coin accept and return solenoids are mounted one on each side thereof.

The operation of the coin accept mechanism will be described first. With the device as shown in Fig. 5 the coin trip switch has been actuated and, as explained previously, may immediately begin the cycling of the machine if it is nonselective, or may merely impress a voltage across the electrical connections to the cycling mechanism and await the customers operating a selection button to complete the circuit. In either event after the machine has begun its cycle, which may either be to mix and dispense a beverage, or deliver an article, means are provided which may be either mechanical or electrical to close a coin accept switch indicated at I06 in Fig. 12. Upon the closing of this switch the coin accept solenoid will be energized, whereupon the armature I08 will move upwardly as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. The lower end of this armature I08 has a pivot pin H0 which pivotally supports a link I I2. A coin accept arm H4 is pivotally mounted on a stub shaft H6 fixed to the face plate 4 and has a depending portion H8 at the opposite side of the pivot H6 which is connected by means of the pin I20 to the lower end of the link H2. The upper end of the arm I I4 is provided with an inturned flange I22 which is located within the arcuate slot I24. When the solenoid I00 is energized and elevates the armature I08 the coin accept arm I4 will be moved downwardly, the end I22 thereof riding in the slot I24, to the position shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that the coin I6 is in the path of movement of the arm H4 and as it moves downwardly the flange I22 on the end thereof will come against the coin and force it downwardly at which time the wheel 60 will be caused to rotate in a clockwise direction. As previously explained, rotation of the wheel 60 will actuate the registering mechanism and record the acceptance of the coin. After acceptance, the coin will drop downwardly through the chute 6 and into the coin box (not shown). The wheel 60 is provided with a plurality of radial projec tions 6| adapted to come against the flange I22 on the arm H4 in its lower position immedaitely after delivering a coin, to prevent any tendency of further rotation of the wheel due to momenturn.

If for some reason it is desired that the coin be returned to the customer either because he has changed his mind or because, in a selective machine, the supply of the particular item desired has been depleted, the coin return solenoid I02 will be energized, and the particular manner in which this result is obtained will now be described.

The coin return switch I26 is mounted at one side of the device as shown in Fig. 3 and constitutes a small precision switch having an arm I28 affixed thereto so that when the arm is lowered or raised a contact will be made or broken in an electric circuit to energize the coin return solenoid.

On the outside of the machine in any suitable location I provide a push button I30 which may have any suitable form of connection to a reciprocating arm I32. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown herein I provide a link I34 having one end thereof connected to one end of the button I30 and the other end secured to a pin I36. A second link I38 is also secured to the pin I36 at one end thereof and has its other end pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm I32. A coiled spring I40 is adapted to maintain the arm I32 normally in an elevated position as shown in Fig. 3. The upper end of this arm may be pivoted to a link I42 so that, by pressing the button I30, the links I34 and I38 will actuate the arm I32 and move it downwardly.

At some suitable point along the length of the arm I32 it is provided with a projecting finger I44 which is adapted to contact the switch arm I28 thus breaking contact with one circuit and completing a second circuit, as will be seen and more fully described later with respect to Fig. 12.

When the arm I28 is thus actuated a circuit through the coin return solenoid I02 will be completed to thus energize it and elevate the solenoid armature I46. The armature is pivotally connected to a link I48 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to another arm I50. This second arm is secured to a shaft I52 which passes through both face plates and has secured thereto at one side of the device the coin return disc I54. As will be more clearly seen in Figs. 6 and 9 this disc has an arcuate configuration and at one point along the periphery or outer edge thereof a lateral projection I56 is located with ears I58 extending angularly from each side thereof.

r These ears extend into the coin accept chute and upon a clockwise rotation thereof as viewed in Fig. 6 one of the ears I58 will come in contact with the coin I6 and eject it through the slot I66 and into the coin return chute 8. It will be clear. then, that before the machine has started its cycle and if it is desired that the coin be returned, the button I30 will be pressed to lower the arm I32 and energize the solenoid I02 by actuating the switch I26. When the solenoid is thus energized the armature I46 will be moved upwardly 7. and; through the links I48 and I 56, will rotate the shaft 152 and the .disc I54 connected therewith in a manner to eject the coin L6.

The manner of complete operation of the machine may be better understood by reference to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 12 taken together with the above description. The power supply lines are indicated .by the numerals I62 and I64. In the normal condition of the machine between cycles the current will pass through the line I62 and the coin reject magnet 20 thus maintaining the magnet energized when the machine is not in operation. The current will then pass through the holding relay switch I66, the line I68, and the coin return switch I26 in its normal position and back through the line I64 to complete the circuit.

When an acceptable coin is deposited in the device it will actuate the trip switch I2 to momentarily complete a circuit through the holding relay I16. When this relay is thus energized it will force the switch I66 to make connection with the terminal I12. Thus the magnet '26 will be immediately de-energized and the switch I66 will be maintained against the con-tact I12 by reason of the normally closed holding switch I14. The current then will pass from the power line I62 through the branch E16 and the lines I18 and I86 through one terminal of the switch I14 and the line I82 to the terminal I84. The other side of the circuit has the terminal :66 and current will pass through the line I88, line I96 through the switch I66 and line I66 back to the other power supply line ltd through the coin return switch I26. It will be understood that the coin trip switch I2 will be closed but momentarily and willimmediately return to its normal position as shown.

The mechanism which is used to cycle the machine is connected in any suitable manner between the terminals I84 and I86. In a non-selective machine, as described, the circuit through these terminals may be closed immediately upon the deposit of a coin, but in a selective machine merely a potential will be impressed across the two sides of the circuit which will not be closed until the customer makes a selection by operating a selective button.

After the machine begins its cycle any desired mechanical or electrical means may be provided to close momentarily the coin accept switch I66 by the cycling mechanism. When this switch is closed it willbe clear that current will then pass from the power supply line I62 through the line I16, the coin accept solenoid I I10, and the switch I06 which has completed the circuit back through the lines I38 and I96, the holding relay switch I66, line I68 and the coin return switch I26 back to the other side of the line I64. The manner of passing the coin through to the coin box and registering the acceptance thereof by energizing the solenoid I66 has been'explained above.

If it is desired that the coin be returned to the customer after deposit but before cycling the machine the coin return switch I26 will be actuated upon pressing the button I36 to move the arm I28 of the switch to the terminal I 94. When this occurs it will be clear first that current will pass through the coin return solenoid I62 directly from the line I62 and line I16 through the solenoid I62 and switch I26 back to the line I64. This energizing of the solenoid I62 will actuate the coin return dis-c I54 as above explained and return the coin to the customer. At the same time the circuit through the holding relay will be broken by reason of actuation of the coin return switch I26. When this occurs the relay :switch I66 will return to .its position as shown in Fig, 12 thus opening the main control circuit and preventing any cycling of the machine until the deposit of another coin. This also energizes the electromagnet .26 so that another coin can be deposited and actuate the coin trip switch to make the machine cycle.

Assuming, however, that the machine is cycling and the holding relay switch is in contact with the terminal I12, it is necessary that the machine be reset at the end of its cycle for a subsequent operation. This is accomplished again by the use of either mechanical or electrical means connected to the cycling mechanism so that at or just before the end of the cycle the holding switch I14 will be momentarily opened to thus break the circuit through the holding relay I16 and move the switch I66 back to its normal position.

It will thus be seen "from the foregoing description that I have provided novel means in a coin mechanism for use in electrically operated vending machines, and particularly of the selective type, to function the machine upon the deposit of an acceptable coin, to register the acceptance of the coin and to return the coin after deposit if for any reason the customer changes his mind and. wants his coin returned.

Furthermore, in a non-selective machine, if desired, the circuit containing the coin return solenoid I 02 may be eliminated, and the machine may be arranged to cycle upon depositing an acceptable coin. In this case there is no need for any coin return means such as that described.

It will also be evident that means other than those specifically described herein may be used to accomplish the same result without, however, in any way departing from the spirit of the inventi-on.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A coin mechanism for use in :a coin operated electrical vending machine, comprising a coin chute; a coin box; a wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said coin chute and having a plurality of radial arms adapted to extend into said coin chute and into the path of a deposited acceptable coin, whereby said coin will be temporarily detained by one of said arms and from which position said coin may be either returned or passed to said coin box; means to return said coin including a return coin chute, a rotatably mounted member adjacent said coin in its detained position, a solenoid, and a link connecting said member with said solenoid, whereby energization of said solenoid will rotate said member to positively deliver said coin to said return coin chute; and means to pass said coin to said coin box including a second solenoid, a pivctally mounted lever, one end of said lever adapted, when actuated, to come against the upper edge of said coin and force the coin downwardly, and a link connected between said lever and said second solenoid, whereby energization of said second solenoid will pivot said lever and force said coin downwardly to said coin box, said wheel also adapted to be rotated when said coin is moved downwardly to bring the next adjacent arm thereon into the path of a succeeding coin,

2. A coin mechanism for use in a :coin operated electrical vending machine, comprising a coin chute; a coin box; a wheel rotatably mounted adjacent said coin chute and having 01' passed to said coin box; means to return said coin including a return coin chute, a rotatably mounted member adjacent said coin in its de tained position, a projection on said rotatably mounted member, a solenoid, and a link connecting said member with said solenoid, whereby energization of said solenoid will rotate said memher to move the projection thereon upwardly,

against said coin and positively eject said coin to said return coin chute; and means to pass said coin to said coin box in the event the coin return mechanism is not actuated.

ERNEST H. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Headley Mar. 13, 1888 Taylor Feb. 28, 1899 Holmes Jan. 29, 1901 Vaughn Dec. 6, 1932 Long July 25, 1939 Ford Sept. 23, 1941 Jetseck et a1 Sept. 21, 1943 Hoban Nov. 2, 1943 Weiler Aug. 1, 1944 Ardell Feb. 6, 1945 Thompson et a1. May 22, 1945 Thompson et al Jan. 8, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 13, 1931 Great Britain Mar. 10, 1932 

